Spencer had a career-high 11 sacks for the Cowboys in 2012

Receive the latest blue-star updates in your inbox

The Dallas Cowboys’ outside linebacker was named to the NFC Pro Bowl team on Friday afternoon as an injury replacement for the Green Bay Packers’ Clay Matthews. Dallas’s other outside linebacker, a guy named DeMarcus Ware, is technically a 2012 Pro Bowler as well, but he opted out of the game with a shoulder injury after getting in via the initial vote.

Ware will be replaced by the Minnesota Vikings’ Chad Greenway.

Certainly, Spencer is deserving of the honor. He put together a career year in 2012, with 95 tackles, a career-high 11 sacks and two forced fumbles. He and Ware became the first Cowboys tandem to record double-digit sack totals since Ware and Greg Ellis did it back in 2007, and provided a little bit of stability for a constantly-changing, injury-plagued defense.

Spencer, who spent last season under the franchise tag, is set to become a free agent once again in March.

Stay on top of the latest Dallas Cowboys news with NBCDFW.com. Follow NBC DFW on Facebook or have breaking Cowboys news sent directly to your phone with Blue Star SMS alerts. Text "bluestar" to 622339 (NBCDFW) to subscribe, text HELP for more info, and text STOP to end the subscription. Message and data rates may apply.Read more about it here.